Young Environmentalists, government security officers, hotel staff and other hospitality players in their monthly beach clean-up exercises along the Malindi Beach on December 23, 2025. Photo by Ben Okweingoti. 
By Ben Okweingoti
Tourism stakeholders in Malindi have stepped up environmental conservation efforts by bringing together young environmentalists, government security officers, hotel staff and other hospitality players in monthly beach clean-up exercises, as the resort town races to have its hotels eco-certified.
The initiative is also laying the groundwork for the first-ever estuary marathon, which will be held in partnership with the UN-Habitat Waste Wise Cities Programme. Progressive Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) chairperson Kate Mwikali said the event will be the first of its kind in Africa.
“Malindi is now an affiliate of the UN-Habitat Waste Wise Cities Programme, and we will soon begin waste segregation at source, which is a key requirement for becoming a waste-wise town. This builds on our monthly clean-ups and recycling initiatives,” Mwikali said.
Waste Wise Cities are urban areas recognised either for effective waste management systems or for grappling with serious waste and pollution challenges.
Mwikali noted that a community-based organisation, Kesho Yetu, is already operating at the Malindi dumpsite, recycling waste and adding value to materials that would otherwise be discarded.
“We have a CBO at the dumpsite that has started turning waste into useful products, creating both environmental and economic benefits,” she said.
Looking ahead, Mwikali revealed that Malindi will host the world’s first Waste Wise Marathon in November 2026, to be run along the estuary. The event, organised in collaboration with Athletics Kenya and the Dr Paul Tergat Foundation, will also feature paralympic athletes who have expressed interest in participating.
Hotels in Malindi are meanwhile undergoing eco-certification training conducted by certified trainers from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). Mwikali cautioned hoteliers that sustainability practices must be genuine, noting that guests ultimately determine whether a hotel qualifies for eco-certification.
“Our focus is sustainability—proper waste management, energy conservation and circular production. Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort is among the hotels already certified, and we are able to trace where their waste ends up,” she said.
Malindi Sub-County Administrator Dadu Chome said the county government is fully supporting the monthly clean-ups, describing them as a boost to environmental conservation and tourism.
“Malindi boasts the longest stretch of beach, and these clean-ups have put the town on the global map. We have even received invitations to host international beach Olympics,” Chome said.
Malindi Division Assistant County Commissioner Irene Munyoki praised PWAM for transforming the town’s image.
“The national government, working with the Kilifi County government, is vetting and certifying hospitality establishments as eco-friendly. This will position Malindi as a destination of choice for premium and high-end tourists,” she said.
